Robertson ‘Shocks’ Colleagues with On-air Departure Announcement

Colleagues are said to have been “shocked” when BBC Scotland newsreader, David Robertson, announced, live on Friday evening, he was leaving the BBC, after 20 years.

He told viewers of news flagship, Reporting Scotland: He told viewers: “It’s my final programme. It has been a privilege.” He has been a presenter on the programme for eight years.

A spokesperson for BBC Scotland was quoted on the BBC’s own website that Robertson was leaving due to restructuring, adding that the programme would now have one presenter – from next Monday.

The website also said: “Mr Robertson confirmed his decision to shocked colleagues at BBC Scotland news in an e-mail on Friday evening after the programme ended.”

Robertson spent the early part of his career working at Network News based in London, holding reporting posts on World At One, PM and The World This Weekend on BBC Radio 4.

He also enjoyed working as Newsreader on Radio 1, reporting on Breakfast News on BBC One and as news correspondent for all BBC outlets.

Robertson was also world affairs correspondent, covering stories such as the war in Bosnia, the Spanish elections and the Middle East.

He was also among the original BBC News 24 launch team and presented the Breakfast show for three years and BBC Two’s Weekend 24 before joining Reporting Scotland in November eight years ago as a main presenter.

* Send your Scottish media news and gossip, in the strictest confidence, to